§ 4. Mr. Robert Howarthasked the Minister of Transport if she is satisfied that international motor insurance conditions give sufficient protection to citizens of this country if their property is damaged by visiting foreign motorists; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CastleI am satisfied that the present international arrangements secure compliance with the law on motor insurance, which is the same for visiting motorists as for other motorists in this country. Liability for property damage is not, however, compulsorily insurable and I see no case for making a distinction in the particular case of visiting motorists.
§ Mr. HowarthIs my right hon. Friend aware, however, that if damage to property by visiting foreign motorists occurs, it means that the complainants may have to consider taking civil action in a foreign court and that, for people of modest means, this is in effect quite impossible? Will she look again at this to see whether anything can be done?
§ Mrs. CastleI repeat that I do not think it possible to make a distinction in the case of visiting motorists and have a law applying to them which does not apply to our own motorists. The vast majority of claims to compensation are 1482 settled out of court and it does not seem as though my hon. Friend's constituent has yet attempted to negotiate a settlement. I suggest to him that that is his next and best course.